Automotive
How to Spend Less on Fuel
While buying a more fuel-efficient car might be an option for some, new and used cars that get more miles per gallon tend to be more in demand - and more expensive - when gas prices are high. If a new car isn't an option for you, implementing the following changes can help ensure that you get the most from the fuel in your gas tank:
* Keep the gas you buy in your car. When gas prices are low, stealing gas would likely be more trouble than it's worth, but when prices are high, it's not uncommon for thieves to siphon gas from vehicles, especially those with larger tanks. Adding a locking gas cap can be done for much less than the cost of a tank of gas. In addition to preventing theft, locking fuel tank caps can also prevent anyone from tampering with your gas tank.
* Keep your tank full. While you're looking to reduce the amount of gasoline you are using, constantly running your car with the tank close to empty can wear down your fuel pump. "The gasoline in the tank keeps the fuel pump cool. Take away the gas and the fuel pump runs hot and has a shorter life," says Tom Taylor, engineer and vice president of RockAuto.com. If you have an older car that has accumulated dirt and rust at the bottom of the tank, keeping a full tank can help your fuel burn cleaner.
* Keep your car in shape. Keeping your engine properly tuned improves fuel efficiency by an average of 4 percent and repairing a major issue like a faulty oxygen sensor could improve efficiency by up to 40 percent, according the U.S. Department of Energy. The RockAuto.com parts catalog has oxygen sensors from $10 to more than $100 depending on the car," says Taylor. Especially if you're a do-it-yourselfer, you could quickly recoup the cost of an oxygen sensor or other repair after as little as one tank of gas through improved fuel economy.
* Keep your tires inflated properly. Keeping your tires at the optimal level not only keeps you safer, but can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent, according to the Department of Energy. Your owner's manual should tell you the proper psi (pounds per square inch) levels for your vehicle.
* Drive for optimal gas mileage. How you drive can affect how much gas you use. Most cars run at peak efficiency at around 60 mph, with fuel economy decreasing sharply when traveling faster. Aggressive driving with rapid acceleration and slowing will also have a negative effect on your fuel economy.
* Reduce weight and drag. Getting rid of items such as roof equipment when they aren't being used can help your car become more aerodynamic and run more efficiently. Keeping unnecessary items in your car, especially if they are heavy, can also make your car work harder and use more fuel than it needs to.
By adding up the small savings gained by each of these tips, you can really notice a difference on how much you are paying at the pump, especially over a long period of time.
Don't Make DUI Part of Your Holiday Festivities
While many Americans have become conditioned to take extra steps to avoid drinking and driving on New Year's Eve, many fail to recognize the danger that exists throughout the holiday season and the professional football season.
With office holiday parties, holiday get-togethers thrown by friends and family, and a myriad of professional sports events, the opportunities to consume alcohol seem nearly endless this time of the year. Add factors such as poor driving conditions due to winter weather, shorter daytime driving hours and other holiday season driving distractions, and you have all the ingredients of a potential tragedy on the road.
According to FindLaw.com, the nation's leading online source for legal information, drunk driving means being under the influence of any substance (alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription drugs, etc.) that impairs a person's ability to safely operate a motorized vehicle (car, motorcycle, boat, all-terrain vehicle (ATV), etc.). All 50 states and the District of Columbia have laws defining it as a crime to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above a proscribed level, currently .08 percent in most states. On average, the BAC among fatally injured drinking drivers is .16 and the relative risk of death for drivers in single-vehicle crashes with a high BAC is 385 times that of someone with a zero BAC.
The most important thing to do before going out to a holiday party or meeting friends at a local bar to watch a pro football game is to become familiar with the consequences of drinking and driving in your state. In many states, public safety officials are actively taking a stance against drunk driving through public information campaigns and stepped-up roadside DUI checks, especially during peak times, such as the holiday season.
Here are some additional tips from FindLaw.com on how to have a safer, DUI-free holiday season:
* Select a designated driver. Make sure to choose someone who promises not to drink and who will make sure that all passengers buckle up.
* Take a cab or public transportation. If you're traveling alone or with just one other person, consider taking a cab or public transportation to and from your holiday event.
* Hosting the holiday party. If you host a holiday party, either at your home or at your workplace, make sure to offer your guests a cab ride to get home, if they need it. Make sure to also offer non-alcoholic beverages to your guests - as well as food to offset alcohol intake.
* Be aware that you can receive a DUI while operating snowmobiles and ATVs as well. Also keep in mind that alcohol consumption combined with excessive speed and the lack of safety belts dramatically increases your odds of injury during a collision on the trail.
* Put down the cell phone. Even if you've only had one glass of wine or one beer, alcohol in any quantity can impair. Avoid compounding the situation with distractions such as talking on your cell phone or texting, which takes your eyes off the road.
* If you're pulled over, remember to treat the officer with respect; otherwise, he or she could use your defiance as evidence against you in a trial. Turn your car off, put your keys on the dashboard, keep your hands on the steering wheel, in full view of the police officer and be prepared to show your driver's license and proof of auto insurance.
* Think twice about refusing to take a breath test or blood alcohol content test. Some states impose severe consequences if you refuse a blood or breath test, as opposed to taking one and failing.
* Behavior matters. Even if you do test below the legal limit of .08 (standard in many states), an officer who still believes that you have demonstrated behavior that prevents you from safely operating a motor vehicle can arrest you. If you are taken to court, the prosecution will almost always rely on the arresting officer's testimony about your behavior and operation of the vehicle. This includes swerving your car, having slurred speech and/or bloodshot eyes, a heavy odor of alcohol and your inability to walk straight.
* Hire an attorney. Being convicted of a DUI can have serious ramifications. If you do go to court, it's essential to hire a defense attorney who specializes in DUI matters. To locate a lawyer who specializes in DUIs in your area, search FindLaw.com.
Buying a used car? Expert tips to speed, ease the process
(ARA) - The approach of summer means just one thing to car buyers - the opportunity to score a great deal, especially on some used vehicles that dealers are motivated to move out of their inventory as 2010 really gets rolling.
Bargains can be hot at this time of year for those who know how to shop smart for a good used car. With "Cash for Clunkers" a fading memory and Americans still looking to buy used cars rather than investing in new ones that depreciate as soon as you drive them off the lot, the used car market is hotter than ever.
Brian Bossone, one of the creative minds behind SPEED's popular "Pinks All Out" series, knows a lot about used cars. After all, the series features common folks who buy and build or rebuild their own race cars to compete in the popular drag racing show. Bossone offers a few tips to help you ensure you're buying the used car of your dreams, rather than the lemon of the year.
Here are the top items you should inspect when buying a used car:
1. Look for paint and body repair. Evidence of body work could mean the car has been in an accident.
2. Check for fluid leaks. Any leaking fluid, from oil to windshield washer, could mean the car needs a costly repair.
3. Look at the engine. Does it sound smooth or rough? Does it smoke excessively?
4. Evaluate the overall wear and tear on all parts of the vehicle. Is the wear commensurate with the age and mileage on the vehicle?
5. Has the car been driven by someone who smoked in it? Transported pets or small children in it? All those things can leave odors behind in the vehicle - smells you might have to live with or go to great lengths to eliminate as the new owner.
6. What was the primary usage of the vehicle and are most of its miles highway or local driving?
7. Are all accessories in working order? The sunroof is great ... unless the motor to open it doesn't work.
8. How is the drivability? Do the brakes squeak? Does something in the passenger cabin rattle? Does the steering vibrate?
Avoid common mistakes, like buying on impulse without researching simple things like the resale value of the vehicle compared to similar makes and models, available vehicle history reports that list accidents and other issues and price comparisons with multiple sellers or online sites.
Be sure to ask for an inspection by a qualified source and request copies of vehicle maintenance records. Check online feedback on vehicle-specific forums for actual owner opinions and comments on common issues.
While local newspapers and neighborhood used-car lots can be great resources for finding good used vehicles, don't overlook online ones as well, Bossone advises. Craigslist.org, Racingjunk.com, eBay.com and Autotrader.com can also yield quality used vehicles.
Finally, when you think you're ready to buy, take the car to a mechanic you trust and ask him/her some key questions, including:
* Will this vehicle pass local or state inspection?
* Do you see any signs of paint repair, accidents or frame damage?
* Have you ever worked on this type of vehicle and are you aware of any trends toward excessive repairs for this make and model?
* Would you buy this vehicle if you were in the market for one and if not, what would deter you?
"Used cars continue to be a great deal for value-minded buyers, and with a little smart preparation, you can be sure your 'new' used vehicle gives you many years and miles of good service," Bossone says.
"Pinks All Out" airs every Thursday at 8 p.m. Eastern time on SPEED. Visit www.SpeedTV.com to learn more.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
